Cement dump bailer



Apri] 25, C' R DALE CEMENT DUMP BAILER Filed oct. 25

2 Sheets-Sheet l ZI/enon arenas /Ea Ze.

April 25, 1939. c. R. DALE CEMENT DUMP BAILER Filed OCT.. 25, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 25, i959 CEMENT Dm BAILER Clarence R. Dale, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Dale Service Corporation, Culver City, Calif., a corporation of California Application Gctober 25, 1937, Serial No. 170,834 18AClaims. (Cl. 16S-19) This invention relates generally to dump type bailers used in oil well operations for depositing fluid or owable material in the well. While the present bailer may be used for depositing any such materials'customarily employed in well operations, it' has been specially developed for handling cement and has a number of important advantages that render it particularly desirable for this purpose.

Various situations requiring oil well cementing operations are known to those familiar with the art, and hence need not be discussed further than to state that in practically all instances in which the cement is to be deposited in the 15 well by the-use of a dump bucket or bailer, it is mostrdesirable that it be possible to accurately discharge -the cement at the particular point where it is required, and to do so without excessive dilution of the cement charge with well, 20 iluid. For a full appreciationof the merits of the present bailer, brief reference may be made `to a number of diiculties that have been encountered in the use of other bailers, and the resultant failure to place the cement at exactly 25 the proper location in desirable undiluted con dition. For this purpose we may assume a typical operation in which the bailer is to-be lowered within the well a number of times to deposit successive charges of cement, one on top the 30 others.

One of the first diculties ordinarily encountered is that of obtaining a completeand rapidly continuous discharge of cement from the bailer. For example, in that type of bailer opera5 ating to dump the cement charge as the bailer is elevated in the Well, frequently the discharge of cement is interfered with or misdirected by reason of obstructions in the outlet passage of the bailer, or for other reasons such as the par- 40 ticular location of the cement outlet, so that instead of being deposited rapidly and in a homogeneous body, the cement is strung out within the column of well fluid. 'Ihe result is an inability to place all the cement in a homogeneous 45 body at the place desired, and excessive dilution of the cement and impairment of its setting properties. As indicated, this difiiculty usually is due to the bailer parts, such as the cement discharge passage and its closure or valve, being so constructed or arranged that the cement tends to bridge acrossl relatively restricted areas and interfere with its prompt discharge. Similar difficulties are encountered in the use of so-called bottom dump bailers which operate to release the cement charge 4by contact with the bottom of the hole, in that sand or formation may clog the bailer discharge opening at least to the extent of so restricting the passage that the cement cannot be fully and rapidly released.

-One of my principal objects is to provide a bailer which, upon opening of the closure, permits free and unobstructed passage of the cement into the well. To accomplish this purpose, I preferably provide a substantially cylindric straight bore within the body to form the charge containing chamber and a discharge passage extending to the point offinal discharge at the bottom of the bailer. l also use a type of closure which, when open, leaves the discharge passage substantially unobstructed. As an additional feature of importance, I construct the bailer so that the final cement discharge opening may be lowered immediately `above and in direct proximity to a surface, for example on a preceding freshly deposited body of cement, on which the cement is to be deposited, without requiring sup- `portffor the bailer upon or below that surface.

This object of the invention is accomplished by providing a closure opening or releasing mechanism that is caused to operate by maintaining frictional contact between the Wall of the well and parts of that mechanism, and by positioning the we contacting parts above the cement discharge opening at the lower end of the bailer. Thus, the discharge opening may be lowered and accurately positioned with reference to a predetermined location at which it is desired to deposit the cement, without possible interference since there may be no parts of the bailer'extending below the discharge opening.

All the various features and objects of the invention will be more fully understood and explained to best advantage from the following detailed description of the invention in certain of its typical and illustrative forms as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View showing a preferred form of the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are views similar to Fig. l, showing certain parts of the bailer in changed position as they occur in the operating sequence;

Fig. 4 shows a variational form of the invention in longitudinal section;

Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sections taken on lines 5-5 and 6 6 of Fig. 1:

Figs. '7 and 8`are fragmentary side elevations of certain of the parts as indicated by lines 'i--l and 8-8 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 9 shows a variational form of closure seat at the lower end of the body.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3 showing the bailer bottom parts, the body, generally indicated at I0, comprises an elongated tube I I, the upper end of which is connected by coupling I2 or in any other suitable manner with a tubular extension or continuation I Ib of the body. As will be understood, the bailer is lowered in the well on a suitable suspension means, not shown, such as a wire cable. The body II preferably has a straight cylindric bore I3 defining the fluid containing chamber I4, winch, upon opening of the later described closure, permits immediate and unobstructed discharge of cement from the lower end IIa of the body as the bailer is elevated". For reasons that will later appear, the bottom of chamber I4 is closed at a point at or near the lower end of the body, and I preferably employ a formrof closure which, when opened, leaves the outlet I5 through which cement is discharged from the chamber, substantially entirely open and unobstructed. While in certain aspects of the invention, various types of closures` answering to" this description may be` employed, I preferably use a form of closure which, when opened or released, may be dropped free of the body into the well. Thus I may employ a disk I6 which may be formed of any suitable material, for example Bakelite or other friable material that may easily be disintegrated by a drill, and which normally seats upwardly against a ring I1 secured to the body and suiiciently thin to provide an outlet I5 whose diameter corresponds substantially to that of the body bore, so that the seat shows no appreciable obstruction. If desired, and as illustrated in Fig. 9, the closure I6 may seat against an annular downwardly facing shoulder formed by counterboring the lower end of the body, thus removing any obstruction whatever from the body bore.

'I'he closure I6 is releasably held against its Aseat by a suitable latch mechanism, which for example may comprise a plurality of latch elements in the form of levers I9 pivotally mounted at 20 intermediate their ends within a ring 2i attached to the body, the ring being interiorly slotted at 22 to `receive the levers. Each of the levers is contained within a longitudinal body groove 23, the lower disk engaging end I9a of the levers projecting inwardly through slots 24 formed 'in the body. As illust'rated, a curved surface flange 25 may be applied to the lower end of the body to facilitate passing any obstructions that the body may encounter in its descent within the well.

Operation of the latch elements I9 is controlled by vertical movement of the bodyII with relation to a body carried assembly, generally indicated at 26, that is maintained in frictional contact with the wall of the well and so associated with the latch mechanism that the latter is caused to release the closure disk upon Withdrawal movement of the body. In its preferred form, the assembly 26 comprises a plurality of bowed springs 21 terminally applied to a pair of spaced sleeves 28 and 29 movable longitudinally of the body. Springs 21 preferably have noduled projections or studs 39 that provide localized points of contact with the well pipe and thereby prevent frictional wear along the entire outer surfaces 21a of the springs. In accordance with the invention, I attach the ends of the springs to sleeves 28 and 29 by connections that will permit full flexure of the springs to their ends and yet securely fasten the springs to the slips. As best illustrated in Fig. 8,. the springs are received within vertical grooves 32 in the outer faces of the sleeves, and are held against vertical movement relative thereto by lugs 33 projecting outwardly within slots 34 in the springs. The latter are confined within grooves 32 by rings 35 fastened to the sleeves and bridging the grooves at the ends of the springs. In order to permit full radial fiexingmovement of the springs within the sleeve grooves, the end portions of the springs confined by rings 35 may be beveled or tapered as indicated at 36.

Normally, the upper ends of the latch .levers I9 are received within the lower sleeve 29 in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the latch levers are yieldably held in retaining engagement with the disk I6 by leaf springs 31 attached at 38 to the levers and bearing against bases of body grooves 23. The spring and sleeve assembly 26 is releasably locked against downward movement with relation to the body Aand latch levers I9 by a pair of spring members 39, one only being shown, depending from and attached to sleeve 28 at opposite sides thereof. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the lower ends of springs 39 are received within the upper grooved end of segmental keepers 40 secured to the outer surface of the body. It will be understood of course that the lock springs 39 are arranged in suitable spaced and offset positions relative to the bowed springs 21. The lock springs are releasably thrust into the keeper grooves 4I to maintain the spring and sleeve assembly 26 in a predetermined upper position with relation to the body and latch levers, by a coil spring 42 confined between the f upper end of sleeve 29 and an adjustable nut 43 threaded on the body. In this manner, relative movement between the body and friction spring assembly in a closure releasing direction is prevented until the lock springs 39' have become released from keepers 49, as will presently appear.

The bailer is capable of control and operation to dump its cement charge at any accurately determinable point in the well. In. order to demonstrate more clearly certain additional advantages that the bailer has in depositing successive batches of cement in the well, it may be` assumed in describing the operation. that the bailer is being lowered to dump a second cement charge directly on top of a previously introduced charge of cement that has not as yet taken its initial set. First, the bailer with its cement charge is lowered into the well or casing with the bailer parts set in the position shown in Fig. 1. Upon insertion within the well pipe 44, see Fig. 2, springs 21 may become radially contracted to an extent that will displace sleeve 28 upwardly against the resistance of spring 42 suciently to .withdraw the lower ends of the lock springs 39 springs 39 until springs-21 are thrust into the,

liner. in which event the bailer will descend in the casing withthe parts in the positions of Fig. 1.

'Ihe bailer is lowered to the depth at which the charge is to be dumped Within the casing or liner, as the case may be, and the lower end Ila of the body may be lowered to a point immediately above the surface S of the previously deposited batch of cement. This is made possible by reason of. the fact that the casing engaging parts of the bailer are positioned above the final point of cement discharge from the body, and therefore no interference with downward movement of the bailer outlet to the exact location at which the charge is to be dumped, is possible by reason, for example, of the previously deposited cement having become hardened at or below the surface S.

The cement charge is dumped by elevating the body Il from the position of Fig. 2 and thereby causing sleeve 29 to cam the latch levers outwardly to disk releasing positions as the inclined lever surfaces 19h aref thrust upwardly within the sleeve. The latter of course is held against upward movement by reason of the engagement of springs 2 with the well pipe. When released, the disk l is dropped through the lower end of the body entirely free of the bailer, so othat the l outlet I5 is fully opened for the unobstructed disto any serious extent by well fluid that may bel standing in the pipe dil.

The bailer also may be used to carry out cementing operations in an unlined well bore, that is before 'insertion of the casing or pipe, in which event it may be'desirable to modify the bailer as shown in Fig. '4, primarily to provide a differentn form of means for yieldably engaging the bore wall that lis better adaptable to the increased diameter. In this form,the entire spring and sleeve assembly y,26' of Figs. l to 3 may be replaced by suitable radially projecting and resiliently exible means applied to the latch control sleeve 50. For example, circularly arranged, stiii` wire bristles 5l may be set into or otherwise mounted in the sleeve 5B, the radial extent of the bristles being such that they will frictionally. engage the bore wall 52 to the extent that as the body 53 is elevated, the latch levers 5&5 will be thrust upwardly intolthe sleeve and caused to release the disk closure 55 in the manner previously explained. In the form of Fig. 4, upward movement of the sleeve 5t relative to the body and latch levers is'yieldably resisted by coil spring 56 confined between the sleeve and ring 51 secured to the body.

I claim:

1. In a fluid dump bailer for use in wells, a body comprising a tubular uid containing chamber having an outlet at the lower end of said body through which the uid is discharged straight downwardly into the well, a closure for said outlet and movable with relation thereto to permit unobstructed discharge of uid from said chamber into the well, and means outside said chamber releasably holding said closure in closed position. said means including means at all times frictionally engaging the well bore wall above the point at which the uid finally is discharged from the bailer into the well.

2. In a fluid dumpbailer for use in wells, a body comprising a tubular uid vcontaining chamber having an unobstructed substantially cylindric bore extending to an outlet at the lower end of said body through which the fluid is discharged straight downwardly into the well. a closure for said outlet and movable Iwith relation thereto to permit unobstructed discharge of fluid from said chamber into the well, and means y body comprising a tubular fluid containing chamber having an outlet at the lower end of said body through which the fluid is discharged straight downwardly into the well, a closure for said outlet and movable with relation thereto to permit unobstructed discharge of uid from said chamber into theA well, and means outside said chamber releasably holding said cloosure in I'closed position, said means including yielding means frictionally and continuously engaging the well bore wall above the point at which the fluid finally is discharged from the bailer into the well, and the holding means being releasable to 'open said closure by upward movement of the body relative to said yielding means while said yielding means remains in engagement with the bore wall.

` 4. In a iiuid dump bailer for usein wells, ar .body comprising a tubular fluid containing chamber having an outlet at the lower end of said body through which the fluid is discharged straightfdownwardly into the well, a closure for said outlet andmovable with relation thereto to permit unobstructed discharge of iiuid from said chamber into the Dwell, mounted outside said chamber for releasably holding said closure in closed position, said means including means frictionally engaging the well bore wall above the point at which the fluid finally is discharged from the bailer into the well, and the holding means being releasable to open said closure independently of bottom supdport for the bailer. f

5. In a fluid dump bailer for use in wells, a body comprising a tubular fluid containing chamber having an outlet at the lower end of said body through which the uid is discharged straight downwardly into the well, a closure for said outlet and movable with relation thereto to permit unobstructed discharge of fluid from said chamber into the well, a latch member mounted on the body outside said chamber and releasably holding said closure in closed position, and yielding means frictionally engaging the wall of the well above the lower end of the bailer, said latch member being operable to open said closure upon upward movement of the body relative to said yielding means.

6. In a uid dump bailer foruse in wells, a

and movable means body comprising a tubular uid containing chammounted on the body and releasably holding said closure in closed position, a sleeve cooperating with said latch member and movable longitudinally of the body, and yielding means applied to said sleeve and engageable with. the wall of the well above said outlet so that the outlet may .be

brought directly above a surface on which the uid is to be discharged'vsaid sleeve being operable to actuate said latch member to open the closure upon upward movement of the body relative to said yielding means.

7. In a fluid dump bailer for use in wells, a body comprising a tubular iluid containing chamber having an outlet at the lower end of said 'ff leasably holding said sleeve against downward movement relative to' the body, and yielding,

means applied to said sleeve and adapted to frictionally engage the wall of the well above said outlet, said locking means being releasable by inward deflection of said yielding means and said sleeve being operable to actuate said latch member to open the closure upon upward movement of the body relative to said yielding means.

8. In a fluid dump bailer for use in wells, a body comprising a tubular fluid containing chamber having an outlet at the lower end of said body, a closure for said outlet and movable with relation thereto to permit unobstructed discharge of fluid from said chamber into the well, a plurality of latch members mounted on the body and releasably holding said closure in closed position, and yielding means adapted to frictionally engage the wall of the Well above said outlet so that said outlet may be brought directly above a surface on which the fluid is to be discharged, said body being movable relative to said yielding means and the latch members being operable by virtue 'of such relative movement to release and drop said closure into the well free from the bailer, upon upward movement of the body relative to said yielding means.

9. In a uid dump bailer for use in wells, a body comprising a tubular uid containing chamber having an outlet at the lower end of said body, a closure for said outlet and movable with relation thereto to permit unobstructed discharge of uid from said chamber into the well, a plurality of latch members mounted on the body and releasably holding said closure in closed position, a sleeve 'cooperating with said latch members land movable longitudinally of the body, yielding means applied to said sleeve and adapted to frictionally engage the Wall of the well above said outlet so that said outlet may be brought directly above a surface on which the fluid is to be discharged, said latch member being operable by said sleeve to release and drop said closure into the well free from the bailer, upon upward movement of the body relative to said yielding means.

10. In a fluid dump bailer for use in wells, a body comprising a tubular fluid containing chamber having an outlet at the lower end of said body, a closure for said outlet and movable with relation thereto to permit unobstructed discharge of uid from said chamber into the well, a plurality of latch members mounted on the body and releasably holding said closure in closed position, a pair of spaced sleeves movable longitudinally of the body, one of said sleeves cooperating with said latch members, bowed springs applied to said sleeves and adapted to frictionally engage the wall of the well above said outlet so that said outlet may be brought directly above a surface on which the fluid is to be discharged, said latch members being operable by said cooperating sleeve to release and drop said closure into the well free from the bailer, upon upwardA ments engaging and supporting the disc, and means controlling said latch elements and in- 'cluding a member frictionally engaging the wall of the well above the lower end of the body, whereby the disc is bodily releasable into the well free from connection with the bailer by upward movement of said body.

12. In a uid dump bailer adapted to be operated in an unlined well bore, a body comprising a iluid chamber having a discharge opening, a closure for said opening, means `releasably holding said closure in closed position, said` means including a circular arrangement of radially eX- tending stiff metallic bristles movable vertically relative to the body and terminally engaging the wall of the well continuously throughout fluid dumping operation of the bailer, and said holding means being releasable to open said closure by vertical movement of the body relative to said bristles.

13. In an oil well tool adapted to be operated in an unlined well bore, the combination comprising a body, an element movable from its normal position relative to said body, holding means for releasably holding said` element in said position, said holding means including a lcircular arrangement for radially extending stii metallic bristles movable vertically relative to the body and terminally engaging the wall of the well, said element being releasable from said holding means by upward movement of the body relative to said bristles.

14. In a fluid dump bailer adapted to be operated in an unlined well bore, a body comprising ber, a plurality of radially movable latch eleally projecting and resiliently flexible fingers mounted at the outside of said body and movable vertically relative thereto, said ngers terminally engaging the wall of the well continuously throughout fluid dumping operation of the bailer, andsaid holding means being releasable to open said closure by vertical movement of the body relative to said fingers.

15. In an oil well tool adapted to' be operated in an unlined well bore, the combination comprising a body, an element movable from its normal positionl relative to said. body, holding means for releasably holding said element in said position, said holding means including a plurality of radially projecting and substantially straightd resiliently flexible fingers terminally engaging the wall of the well continuously throughout movement of said element relative to the body, and means supporting said ngers for vertical movement relative to the body, said element being releasable from the holding means upon vertical movement ofthe body relative to said fingers.

16. In a iiuid dump bailer adapted to be used for depositing fluid on a bottom surface in a well, a body comprising a fluid chamber having a discharge opening at its lower end, a closure for said chamber, movable means normally holding said closure in closed position, and means at the outside of said body and movable downwardly relative thereto to release said holding means, said means at the outside of the body comprising resilient members engaging the wall of the Well above the lower end of the body so that said holding means is releasable to open said closure by upward movement of the body when said discharge opening is brought immediately above said surface, said resilient means remaining in engagement with the wall of the well and the bailer being unsupported on or below said surface during dumping of the bailer.

17. In a iiuid dump bailer adapted to be used for depositing fluid on a bottom surface in a well, a body comprising a :fluid chamber having a discharge opening at its lower end, a closure for said chamber, radially movable means normally holding said closure in closed position, and means at the outside of said body and movable downwardly relative thereto to release said holding means, said means at the outside of the body comprising resilient members engaging the wall of the well above the lower end of the body so that said holding means is positively moved radially outward by upward movement of the body and thereby released to open said closure when said discharge opening is brought immediately above said surface, said resilient means remaining in engagement with the wall of the well and the bailer being unsupported on or below said surface during dumping of the bailer.

18. In a fluid dump bailer adapted to be used for depositing fluid on a bottom surface in a well, a body comprising a fluid chamber having a discharge opening at its lower end, a closure for said chamber, radially movable means normally holding said closure in closed position, and means at the outside of said body and movable downwardly relative thereto to release said holding means, said means at the outside of the body comprising resilient members engaging the wall of the well above the lower end of the body, said holding means being positively movable radially outward by upward movement of the body to drop 20 said closure entirely free from the body.

CLARENCE R. DALE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No; 2,1559785.

April 25, 1959.

CLARENCE R; DALE.

It is hereby certified that error appears 1n the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page Il, first columns line 55, claim 9, for "member" read members; same page, second column, line 55, claim l5, for the word "for" read of; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease Ain the Patent office.

Signed and sealed this 50th day of Play, A Du 19590 (Seal) Henry Van 'Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

